"I'm a fan of the game, and as a fan of the game, watching it, I could see those guys coming together," he said.

While there will be no medal for Wade this year, he's winning in other ways.

"When you learn to win, no matter how you win, it'll help. It builds confidence," he said.

The kids at the NBA House agreed.

"It just helps me to stay off the streets, and I've got something to do, and I really love playing it," said basketball fan Ali Mohamed.

"It made me stay in school," said fan Kieran Mattheff.

At the NBA House, players, fans and families from around the world came together to share the sport, and even the U.S. ambassador took a few shots.

"We are so blessed to be in this time where the game is so big globally and to come here and bring the NBA House and our game to London. I'm happy to be one of the guys that's here," Wade said.

Wade said he wishes he was playing for Team USA, but he was taken out by a knee injury and surgery. He said his physical therapy is on track for a return this season.

The NBA House is open to the public. There's a small fee to get in, but the experience for fans of the game the experience is priceless.

Team USA basketball has already played Argentina this Olympics, but they'll have to once more on Friday to make the medal round. It was Argentina that delivered an embarrassing defeat to the NBA team in 2004.

Team USA women's basketball has already advanced to the gold medal round and will be taking on France on Saturday night.